This Tuesday, four officers from the Scientific, Penal, and Criminal Investigations Corps (CICPC) were arrested in the state of La Guaira, formally accused of appropriating "economic goods" and valuables found among the rubble of the collapsed buildings. La Guaira, a region adjacent to the capital, Caracas, has been identified as the most devastated area by last week's double earthquake.
The capture of these officials occurred after videos went viral on social media showing outraged civilians confronting a CICPC agent. In a public display of repudiation, citizens even went as far as tearing up cash dollars that the police officer had with him, while shouting that he was a "shame" to the country. These images revealed how the officers, far from fulfilling their humanitarian assistance duties, took advantage of the chaos and vulnerability of the victims for their own economic benefit.
The official response was swift. Douglas Rico, the national director of the CICPC, reported that the four implicated individuals have been immediately expelled from the organization and will be brought to justice. Rico described the officers' behavior as "indecorous," stating that they acted deviating from their sacred duties during rescue operations. Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior, Diosdado Cabello, used his official channels to declare that the agents committed "indecent and immoral" acts. Cabello warned that the State will be "completely intolerant" and will apply severe measures against those who dishonor the uniform by exploiting others' pain in a moment of national shock.
From the political sphere, the opposition party Primero Justicia (PJ) strongly criticized the Government, denouncing that instead of preserving lives, some officials seek to enrich themselves from the tragedy. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation remains critical: the official death toll has risen this Tuesday to 1,943 deceased and 10,571 injured, highlighting the magnitude of the disaster that still keeps thousands of Venezuelans in a deep crisis.